Pahh Draws Support From Jre Students

Wayne Gorry's students at Julia Randall Elementary School are adding a nice touch to the Habitat Home Run 5K May 15 at Green Valley Park. The students designed and made original posters with the names of all the sponsors of the race. Gorry said the class wanted to get involved in a community service aspect of the event so they asked organizers how they could help. The children will also be running in the race as part of the physical training curriculum in the class. "We are doing three days of training a week," Gorry said. "One is a 20 minute run around the amphitheater at the park." The other two workouts are large group aerobic games or relays.

For those who have not registered, a late sign-up will begin at 6:30 a.m. the day of the race. The race begins at 8 a.m. The fee is $20 which includes an event T-shirt and breakfast.

Guest breakfast tickets are available race day for $3 for adults and a child's ticket is $1.

In addition to the breakfast and run, there will be free family activities on going in the park. The popular duo of "Trouble in Paradise" (Chuck and Barbara Case) will be performing in the bandstand prior to and during the race.

For the first time in the history of the event, the race will offer cash prizes to the overall top three male and female finishers. First place is worth $100 and second place finishers receive $50. Third place runners earn $25. For more information, call 928- 474-0330.

Golf for spirit

The Payson High School spirit line is hosting a four-man scramble benefit tournament slated to tee off 9 a.m., May 15 at Payson Golf Course.

The fee is $60 for non-members and $40 for members of PGC.

Registration includes green fees, a cart, catered lunch and the chance to win some very nice prizes. The grand prize is $10,000 for any player who sinks a hole-in-one on a pre-selected par 3 hole. Other prizes include golf clubs and vacation get-aways.

Prizes will also be given out for longest drive and closest-to-the-pin shots.

All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the spirit line.

For more information call Becky Hagler at 928- 978-3001 or Rick Korth at 928- 978-1331.

Ex-Horns return

Prep sports programs receive a boost when ex-players return to coach at the school where they once played.

The alumni usually have a strong commitment to the school and their presence contributes to a powerful tradition that is so much a part of all successful sports program.

Payson High has been fortunate to have several former athletes return to the Longhorn fold as coaches.

Among the ex-Horns now coaching are Jon Gunzel and Bo Althoff. Althoff is coaching pole vaulters on the PHS track team and Gunzel tutors the shot put and discus throwers. Most fans probably remember Jon as the exceptional football player and track and field athlete that starred for PHS in the mid-1990s. Althoff was also a football and track star but came along a few years earlier in the programs than did Gunzel.

In addition to coaching track, Althoff also coached the freshman football team.

Parents of Longhorn track and field athletes can rest assured that the quality of coaching, teaching and leadership their sons and daughters are receiving from the former Horns is topnotch.